used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You are sure to do well."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
next to; at the side of
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Indeed you can, Johannes!
female equivalent of a count or earl
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading You are sure to do well."
encircledadjectiveUS /ɪnˈsɜːrkəld/
confined on all sides
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
eyeglassesnounUS /ˈaɪɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "Indeed you can, Johannes!
Johannes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Indeed you can, Johannes!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
pompousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːmpəs/
puffed up with vanity
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
cut with a saw
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
having a supporting base
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
steadnounUS /sted/
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading You are sure to do well."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You are sure to do well."
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Johannes did not understand the question, but the countess replied, in his stead.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading You are sure to do well."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What shall I announce?" asked the pompous one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading In a twinkling he was standing beside a piano encircled by guests, and he saw hundreds of eyes, with and without eyeglasses, fastened upon him.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Indeed you can, Johannes!
